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Let's Give-a-little to Phil and his family at this very challenging time!

  • Cindy's update from "back in the bus"

      14 September 2018
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    We are finally back together in our 'own home', with the help of some awesome friends who brought the bus up from New Plymouth to Hamilton for us we are trying to get some sort normality back into our lives although it will never be the same as it was. Phil has appointments almost every day and as he is not allowed to drive it means it's a whole family outing which is interesting 😕 Phil is still dealing with the effects of having the clot in is heart, and the side effects of all his medication, he gets breathless, exhausted quickly and experiences chest pain and headaches almost daily. He did say he is feeling a little better each day though so that is great.

    We have started on a plant based eating journey (no meat or dairy) which in our view will really help with his (and all of ours) recovery. Phil has started working on a new website called www.thejourney.nz on which he plans to talk about all aspects of his recovery. Those of you who know Phil know that websites is his happy place and it really brings him joy to be able to share his thoughts with others (when he has some energy!)

    The kids are doing well, we are checking out all the playgrounds Hamilton has to offer and plan to try and hunt out some other life learners soon. Judah is about to turn 8 in a weeks time and I have been getting all the birthday requests. I'm hoping we can make it a special day for him being away from his friends and extended family!

    Once again, thank you for all the support given it has been sooo helpful in getting us through theae weeks 😄

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  • Update from Cindy

      5 September 2018
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    It's been two and a half weeks now of Phil being in and out of hospital, yesterday we were feeling really hopeful, he was starting to feel a bit better and the doctors suggested he try going for a walk to the hospital cafe to start building up his fitness again. By the time we got to the cafe he was completely exhausted so I got him into a wheelchair to head back to his room, that's when he started getting chest pains again. The nurse took her sweet time responding to the call bell and thought Phil could have had indigestion but did and ECG and took bloods.

    This morning the doctors confirmed that Phils heart was actually spasming due to the blood clot that is in his heart chamber (we are guessing that the walk got his blood pumping and was too much for his already damaged heart to handle) this was yet another low moment for us, there is nothing else the doctors can do, he is on all the blood thinners, he is looking black and blue from any bump, blood test or injection. There is no operation or treatment they can do to fix this, all we can do is wait, and pray that this clot will dissolve.

    The doctors have strongly recommend that we consider moving to Hamilton for the next 6 months or so as they are very concerned that he could have another heart attack at any time and he needs to be close to the hospital to get help fast.

    There is no discharge date in site, but in the mean time we are working out the logistics of moving the bus (that I don't have a license to drive) to Hamilton and figuring out where we can park up for a while.

    Ps The kids have really started to struggle the last few days. They are getting clingy and not keen for me to leave them with other people which is getting tricky.

    PPS Thanks to everyone who has given to our give a little page we really appreciate it!

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  • Phi's health update!

      1 September 2018
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    Phil is still in the stroke ward in Waikato hospital, being carefully monitored. The doctors are aiming to thin his blood to a level they feel confident will potentially dissolve the clot in his heart. There are a lot of complications that could arise in the meantime so he is staying put this time, and won't be able to do anything too strenuous in the next week or so and by that I mean walking further than the bathroom. He is having moments of feeling mentally energized but mostly is tired and lethargic. Finally getting a room to himself after 2 weeks has been a relief and the possibility of getting a decent night sleep is a huge bonus and will help his healing journey.

    Cindy and the kids are doing well, with the help of some very amazing friends looking after the kids during the day and feeding them so Cindy can be with Phil.

    So for now they are just waiting, and hoping that everything will come right soon to be able to get 'home' to the bus and start working out what the new normal is going to look like.

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